Extending your Student route visa in the UK

Please note: On 15th September 23 the UK Government announced that it would be increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge fees for students and their dependants to £776 per year. This will come into force either 31st January 2024 or the 21st day after the law is changed. We shall update when we have confirmation of the exact date.

In June 2023 the UK Government announced that it intended to make some changes to the UK immigration system on 1st January 2024. 

These changes include: 

"Removing the right for international students to bring dependants unless they are on postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes.” 

"Removing the ability for international students to switch out of the student route into work routes before their studies have been completed.” 

"Reviewing the maintenance requirements for students and dependants.” 

On 17th July 2023, the UK Government released a formal Statement of Changes to the Immigration Law, which added further clarification to some of the intentions above.

This Statement confirms that international students, who start their course on or after 1st January 2024, will not be eligible to apply for dependants to join them in the UK unless the Student is either government sponsored and on course of more than 6 months, OR they are studying a Postgraduate Research degree such as a PhD or other doctoral qualification, or a Masters made up mainly of Research. 

Conversely, those whose courses start before 1st Jan 2024 (so September/Autumn 2023) will still be able to apply to bring their dependants to the UK. They do not have to make their dependant applications at the same time as their own visa application but can make this application at any point during their course. 

Regarding switching from Student to Work routes in the UK, clarification has been made that students will not be able to switch into a work route until they have completed their course. The only exception to this is for PhD students who have already completed 24 months of their course at the time of switching or students who had already made a visa application to switch before 17th JUly 2023.

You may also find the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) a useful resource, so please also check there.

The International@CampusLife (ICL) team includes several trained student immigration specialists who can assist you in the submission of your Student visa application. The University expects all students who are making an application in the UK to use this service as it reduces the risk of your visa being refused. The service is completely free but you have a responsibility to ensure you are preparing your application in a timely manner and follow all instructions and advice given to you.

Please note that ICL can, in most cases, also help your family members who are applying with you as dependants but at peak times, priority may be given to student cases.

Can I make my visa application from within the UK?

If you are currently on a Student Route/Tier 4 visa and you are either:

• progressing (e.g. UG to PG) and have successfully completed the course for which your current visa was issued and your new course starts within 28 days of your current visa expiring OR
• applying to complete a course you have already been studying with us at Swansea University
 
Then an in-UK application should be allowed.

Please note: You cannot make in an UK Student Route visa application when you are switching institutions and did not complete the course with your previous College or University - even if you have time 'left' on your visa. This is because you cannot meet the relevant UKVI Academic Progression requirements and must therefore apply from home. You would not be able to be enrolled in the UK and need to Make a Student Route visa application from overseas 

When should I make my visa application?

For continuing students, you would normally make your visa extension application no more than 3 months before the expiry of your current visa. You may also need to wait for end of year results before you can access a CAS. In these cases a CAS needs to be requested from the International Student Compliance team.  

For students who a new visa to start a new course, you would normally submit your application after you have the results from your previous course and your CAS would come from the Admissions team. You cannot make your visa application more than 3 months before the start of the course and you cannot make the application from in the UK if the gap between the start of your new course and the end of your current visa is more than 28 days.

However, you can start preparing for your application at any time. You do not need to wait for a CAS statement before you start preparing and this is especially important if you are making your application close to your visa end date.

Depending on your individual situation it may take you 28 days or more to get the financial documents you need to make a valid application, so the earlier you work out what you need and start gathering this the better. 

All students MUST make their visa application before their current visa expires. Failure to do so means you will become an overstayer. If you are an overstayer you must CEASE ALL WORK and contact a member of the ICL team immediately for help and advice.

All applicants will need to be able to provide the relevant documents in support of their Student visa application. Some applicants will be asked to provide these upfront as part of their initial application and some will just need to have them in case requested by the UKVI. This is called differentiation for applicants (sometime referred to as 'low risk' applications) please see our Differentiation Leaflet for further information and the UKVI Appendix Student ST 22.1 to see whether you fall into the differentiation category.

However, we advise to students to always make sure they have them in hand in case requested. Being under differentiation does not mean you are exempt from the requirements - only from submitting the documents up front.

In order to streamline and improve the visa application process for students, the UKVI has changed the way in which it will verify your identity and how biometric information will be collected as part of the application process. 

If you are applying for a Student visa extension from inside the UK and you have a biometric residence permit (BRP) you can now verify your identity and provide biometrics using the UK Immigration: ID Check App. You will be directed to the App depending on your circumstances and the answers you give to the first few questions on the visa extension application form. If you are eligible, you will then be told to download the App (available on both Apple iOS and Android) and you will then verify your identity by scanning your BRP card and taking a selfie before then going on to complete the rest of the application form.

If for any reason you cannot use the ID Check App either because you are not eligible to or because the App doesn't work when you scan your BRP card, don't worry, you will be able to complete the on-line application form, submit and pay for the application and then be directed to book and attend an appointment in person at a UKVCAS visa centre instead 

If you have Dependants remaining with you in the UK, they will need to extend their visas too. Adult dependant partners/spouse with a valid BRP can use the ID Check App but they must submit their own separate application. Child dependants may not be able to use the ID Checking App - it depends on their age at the time of the new visa application and their age when their current visa was issued. If your Child dependant/s cannot use the ID Check App, you will fill out the on-line application form on their behalf, submit and pay for the application and then be directed to book and attend an appointment in person at a UKVCAS visa centre instead. 

If you are successfully granted your visa after having used the ID Check App, you won’t be sent a new BRP, you will instead receive a digital immigration status registered to the passport used in the visa application process.

If you attend a UKVCAS visa centre, you will receive a new BRP card once your visa application is granted.

What is the application process?

In order for us to help all students as quickly and fully as possible, please follow the steps that are set out for you below. 

1. Prepare your finances. The leaflet  Finance IHS Visa fees information sheet will help you work out exactly how much money you need to prepare and how you can demonstrate this if necessary. If you think you are a 'low risk' applicant you can check this and finance information in our Differentiation Leaflet
   
   Note: If you have been in the UK as a student for 12 months you should not need to show all fees and living costs upfront. This is explained in the leaflet linked to above. 
   
   
2. Apply for a new CAS statement. This will be either from the International Admissions team (for new courses) or Student Compliance (CAS) (continuing students).  
3. Apply for an ATAS certificate. Not all students will need to do this and ATAS is fully explained on the ATAS tab below. Be aware that ATAS can take up to 6 weeks or more to be received after application.
4. Start the UKVI online application and STOP once you get to the Declaration page. You can choose to complete your form later, and you will be able to pick up the application again either by logging back into your application form (if using the ID Check App) or via a link that will be sent to you in an email (if you cannot use the ID Check App and have to attend an appointment). Both versions of the form are straightforward, and we have an Applying from inside the UK guide to help if you choose the 'non-ID Check App' process. If you have questions or queries, you can ask these during your ICL visa submission meeting. During the meeting an Adviser will also check the information you have completed. Please note: if you have not completed the main bulk Student Visa form prior to approaching the ICL team for submission, you will be asked to do so first.
5. Prepare your documents. The Guide to documents for Student Visa and our Differentiation Leaflet will help you to ensure that you collect the right documents and they will meet UKVI requirements. A comprehensive list of documents is given below. 

• Passport
• Current visa or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP/Visa card) if you have one
• CAS statement
• Evidence of financial capability (e.g. bank statements or Financial Sponsor Letter) if necessary
• Evidence of any academic qualifications as listed on your CAS, if necessary
• ATAS certificate if you have one
• Debit or credit card to pay for the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

If you are using your parents' bank statements to demonstrate financial capability you will also need:

• Letter from parents confirming they will be sponsoring you
• Birth certificate or other relevant evidence confirming your relationship with your parents

• Submit your application alongside an ICL adviser and pay visa fee/IHS. Once you have completed all your preparations, please let the ICL team know that you believe you are ready to go. They will then arrange a Zoom meeting (or alternative convenient method). For that meeting, you will need all your documents, the UKVI link to your online Tier 4 form and a credit or debit card to pay for the visa fee and IHS (as outlined in Finance IHS Visa fees information sheet ). 
  
  An Adviser will check the form and documents with you and, if possible will try and submit your application straight away. If they cannot, they will arrange another time for completion. You will pay the fees online only when your application is complete and ready to go. 

If you used the UK Immigration: ID Check App

Your visa application is considered to be submitted once you have signed the declaration page and successfully paid for your IHS and visa application fees. Keep your payment confirmation emails in a safe place. 

Download the PDF of your final submitted application form and keep it in a safe place. Please email a copy of this to your ICL adviser.

After the payment is made, you will be asked to upload any relevant supporting documents. You will be presented with a list of documents on screen and you will need to upload those relevant to your application.  If you are not sure which documents you need to upload, please speak to an ICL adviser.

Once all your documents are uploaded, confirm and submit them. You can only do this once, you cannot upload new documents after selecting confirm and submit, so please make sure you have uploaded all the correct documents.

Once you have submitted your documents, your visa application will be processed. The UKVI might contact you during the visa processing time to ask for additional information or documents. Please check your emails regularly and respond to any requests promptly.  Please check your spam and junk email folders.

It is very important that you do not travel outside the UK while your visa application is being decided. Doing so will result in your application being withdrawn.  

If you need to book an appointment at a visa centre (UKVCAS)

If you are not eligible to use the ID Check App, could not download it or your BRP would not scan, you will need to book and attend a biometric appointment at a UK Visas & Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) centre instead.

Your visa application is considered to be submitted once you have signed the declaration page and successfully paid for your IHS and visa application fees. Keep your payment confirmation emails in a safe place.

Once you have paid, download the PDF of your final submitted application form and document checklist and keep these in a safe place. Please also send a copy of these to your ICL adviser.

There may be an additional charge for booking the appointment depending on the centre you choose to go to and the type of service you choose (e.g. Standard or Premium), which you pay at the time of booking the appointment. The nearest centre to us are in Cardiff and Bristol but you can attend any centre you like. You will be given further information about biometric appointments from ICL when you submit your application.

At the appointment you will submit your original passport and biometric card (if you have one) and enrol your biometrics (fingerprints and digital photos).

You must upload your supporting documents to the UKVCAS booking site before attending your appointment.  If you don’t do this, you will be charged a fee to have them scanned and submitted on the day of the appointment.

It is very important that you do not travel outside the UK while your visa application is being decided. Doing so will result in your application being withdrawn.  

You must attend your biometrics appointment, or if your used the ID Check App, have uploaded and submitted your documents in order to complete the visa application process, otherwise your application will become invalid. It is important to note that once you have given your biometrics or submitted documents, you will not be able to go back to add or change any documents to your visa application. If you are waiting for a documents (e.g. ATAS) that hasn't yet arrived with you, do not attend an appointment at a visa or upload your document via the ID Check App until the missing document is available. This is very important.

How long until my visa comes back?

A standard visa application can take up to 8 - 10 weeks to be decided and for your new BRP to be received. 

If you applied using the ID Check App, your new immigration status will be digital. Only Visa nationals will receive a new biometric residence permit (BRP) in addition to their digital status. 

You will receive an email from the Home Office telling you the outcome of your application. You should read this carefully and save it in a safe place. This email will contain your new visa expiry date so it is very important that you make a note of this date because unless you are a visa national and you receive a BRP, you won’t have a physical document to remind you. You will either need to leave the UK by the expiry date or if you plan to stay on for further study, work or other reasons, you will need to make a new immigration application to extend.

Please check your new visa expiry date carefully as soon as you receive your outcome email. You can check how long your visa should be by checking ST 25 of Appendix Student.  Let ICL know immediately if there are any errors.

After your visa application has been decided, you will continue to be able to access your personal immigration account on the UKVI system by inputting your personal details into the view and prove your immigration status portal. Instructions about how to do this will be in your visa decision email.

Once logged in to your account, you can generate a verification code which can be shared with employers, the University or anyone else who needs to check your right to study, work or reside in the UK. The code only lasts 30 days but you can generate as many as you need. This code can then be entered into the Home Office system by the 3rd party in order to verify your immigration status.

If you attended an appointment at a visa centre to give your biometrics, you will receive a new BRP. The BRP will be delivered to the postal address used in your application form (we recommend using the University Student Compliance Services address) and you should receive it approximately 7-10 days  after you have received the decision outcome email. This can take longer at peak times such as over Christmas and during the Autumn semester period.

Regrettably, the time taken for the visa to be processed and for a BRP to arrive (if applicable) is controlled by the UK Government and not by the University. We understand delays can be very frustrating, but please remember that the ICL team are not responsible for delays and that we wish it was quicker as well.

You must not make any travel plans to leave the UK while waiting for a decision on your visa application as it is impossible to control an application and we cannot chase the UKVI to make it go quicker.

If you urgently need a quicker application then it is, sometimes, possible to make a faster application via the Priority or Premium application services. These are significantly more expensive and it is important to realise that all of these services incur an additional wait of a few weeks in the event you are going to receive a BRP card. If you would like further information about these services please ask your Adviser during the visa submission process or email the ICL team. 

If you attended an appointment at a visa centre and are due to receive a BRP the Student Compliance Services team will contact you direct once the new BRP arrives and arrange a collection slot with you.

Please resist the temptation to chase us for news regarding your visa. At times we have over 300 visa applications in process and the volume of queries is prohibitive to the team. You will be the first to know when your visa application is decided because the UKVI will contact you directly by email.

There is a mistake on my new visa!

ICL and Student Compliance Services try to check all visas to make sure they are correct but you also need to do this - especially if the visa has been returned directly to you or you used the ID Check App and therefore have a digital immigration status. Please check any outcome letter and/or BRP carefully and if there is anything at all that is incorrect please let us know.

We may be able to get errors corrected for you for free. Please see the Incorrect, lost or stolen documents page for the process you will need to follow to get help. Do not leave mistakes unchecked or changed as it could affect future visa applications.

If your course requires ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance you will need to apply and be granted a clearance certificate before you can apply for a Student visa and enrol on your course. 

Please see our comprehensive ATAS webpages for more details. 

To find out more about keeping yourself safe under the Student Route visa regulations, please see the Student Compliance Services information on Protecting your visa